Season 2 of The Diplomat picks up right where the premiere left off, with renewed intensity and higher dramatic stakes. Although the first season had a certain charm, I found it too slow at times, with moments where the plot seemed to languish despite promising potential. The series offered an interesting look at the world of diplomacy, but it lacked a bit of momentum to maintain interest throughout. It is with surprising pleasure that I note that this second season has been able to correct these flaws, this time by engaging in a more rhythmic plot and giving the characters space to truly flourish. Keri Russell, in the role of Kate Wyler, continues to prove the extent of her talent. This character of an American ambassador immersed in the heart of British diplomacy is fascinating because of her complex character and her inner dilemmas.
In contrast to the wavering moments of the previous season, this time around, Kate's character is immediately thrown into the action from the first scene. The series picks up after a dramatic explosion that leaves several characters in critical condition, and the urgency of the situation never wanes. Kate finds herself not only facing external threats, but also internal struggles with her allies and colleagues. One of the aspects that left me doubtful in the first season was the uneven pacing of the plot; some episodes seemed to lack substance, but this time, every scene seems to count. Season 2 tightens the plot more masterfully, and each event seems to feed into the story seamlessly. Kate's investigation into the attack, which could directly implicate British Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge, gives a more dynamic and tighter structure to this season.
Rory Kinnear plays a Trowbridge whose ambition and darkness have nothing to envy of the darkest characters in political fiction, and this adds a welcome tension. This confrontation, which contrasts with the hesitations of season 1, finally gives the series the thriller dimension that it promised. The relationship between Kate and her husband Hal, played by Rufus Sewell, continues to bring emotional richness to the plot. Their tumultuous marriage, full of tensions and compromises, had already been explored in season 1, but this time, the stakes are deeper. Hal's ambiguities, his manipulative behavior, but also his moments of sincerity, make this duo captivating. If in season 1, their relationship sometimes seemed a little too strong without real development, this season manages to refine this dynamic, making it more authentic and in line with the urgency of the plot.
Season 2 also succeeds in highlighting more nuanced secondary characters, notably Eidra Park (Ali Ahn), head of the CIA. Where the first season seemed hesitant to give him a leading role, this new season fully integrates him into the story. His personal involvement with Stuart, Kate's deputy, allows him to address questions of loyalty in a tense context where alliances are fragile. The introduction of Vice President Grace Penn, played by Allison Janney, also adds a refreshing dynamic: this character injects a dose of unpredictability into the plot, breaking with the formalities that Kate, despite herself, tries to respect. What also emerges from this season is a balance between political suspense and human relationships which sometimes lacked depth in the first.
The pace is more sustained, the dialogues are incisive, and each twist reinforces the main plot, without giving that impression of dispersion that I had previously felt. The series succeeds in transforming the daily events of diplomacy into moments of high tension, a feat which is as much a result of the precise writing as the impeccable acting of the actors. The aesthetic of the series remains as polished as in the first season, with sumptuous settings and shots of London streets which add a captivating visual dimension. What differentiates this season from the previous one is its narrative audacity. The series has never aimed to portray a realistic portrait of international relations, and it now fully embraces its fictional side. Trowbridge's character is a clever satire of some of today's political leaders, and the series does not shy away from exploring the risks of diplomacy compromised by purely personal interests.
It's an exaggerated, but credible, depiction of what politics can become in the hands of corrupt figures. The power intrigues and moral dilemmas are beautifully balanced, adding to the intensity of this season. In conclusion, while the first season left me with a mixed impression, this second season of The Diplomat manages to rectify the situation with a tenser plot and characters who gain depth. If the series retains a theatrical side and sometimes improbable situations, it proves to be particularly effective in its genre, offering quality entertainment and a controlled political thriller. For fans of political series with a touch of romance and suspense, this season 2 is a welcome development. Keri Russell confirms her talent here, and this series, which I initially found a little slow, gains in dynamism and complexity to finally captivate from start to finish.
Note : 7/10. In short, a more refined and better written season 2 making you want to see a season 3.
Available on Netflix
